The local health unit has issued an extreme cold warning in anticipation of plunging temperatures expected to hit the Windsor area over the next couple days.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit issues an extreme cold warning when the temperatures hit -27 C with or without the wind chill for one day.

Environment Canada said temperatures would drop to around -20 C early Wednesday morning with a wind chill close to -30 C.

The health unit said everyone is at risk from the cold. But older adults, infants and young children, the homeless, people who work outdoors and those with heart conditions or respiratory illnesses are particularly vulnerable.

The biggest risks include frostbite and hypothermia. The health unit said frostbite occurs when both the skin and underlying tissue are frozen. Damage can be permanent. Hypothermia happens when the body loses heat faster that it can produce it. Symptoms include shivering, confusion and uncoordinated movements.

The health unit said hypothermia is considered a medical emergency and you should call 911 immediately if you suspect someone might have it.

To stay safe and warm, keep eye on local weather forecasts and warnings. Dress warm with several layers including a wind-resistant outer layer, a hat, scarf and gloves to cover as much skin as possible. If you start to sweat, take off an outer layer or open your coat to stay dry.

Keep moving, especially your hands and feet, to maintain body heat. You should also seek shelter when the wind chill is significant and watch for signs of frostbite and or hypothermia. Drink warm fluids and avoid alcohol because it can give you a false feeling of warmth.

The health unit said you should also make sure your home’s heating system is working right, and that cracks and drafts are sealed. It’s also smart to keep your vehicle well-maintained and stocked with an emergency kit.

The health unit said people should also check on neighbours and family members who might be vulnerable.

The extreme cold weather has also caused problems for boaters in the area. Steve Getty, captain of the Ste. Claire V, the ferry which operates between Amherstburg and Boblo Island, said the extreme temperatures have made it challenging to get across the river. In fact, by 1 p.m. on Monday they had to shut down operation for a few hours until they were able to chip a path in the ice to make way for the ferry to get through.

“We’ve had floating ice down the river since it’s turned cold,” Getty said. “We get ice floes this time of year and they flow by and go into Lake Erie. But yesterday everything stopped flowing and Lake Erie got jammed up. So we had to let it sit for an hour let it freeze up completely and then we had to chip a path through using the ferry.”

Getty said currently they have a two-boat-width path chipped out in the river which gives them access to and from the island. He said about three years ago they had to do the same and as long as the weather stays cold the path stays in the river.

Even the larger boaters on Lake Erie are fighting with the extreme conditions. Environment Canada’s marine forecast issued a freezing spray warning for western Lake Erie. The warning is expected to continue into Wednesday night.

“When it’s really cold and there is still open water in Lake Erie, the strong winds cause the waves to crash against vessels out on the lake which can generate a spray which comes up on the superstructure of the ship and can freeze on contact because it’s so cold,” said Geoff Coulson, meteorologist with Environment Canada. “The concern is for a ship that’s out there long enough that it encountered freezing spray it starts to make the ship top heavy because of all the ice on the superstructure.”

The marine forecast expected winds to peak Tuesday afternoon with winds around 45 km/h and gusts of around 65 km/h causing waves of up to two metres.

Coulson said residents should settle in for the cold spell as it’s not expected to warm up until early next week. The coldest days this week will be Thursday and Friday when temperatures could drop down to -14 C. By Sunday the temperatures will jump to -3 C and Monday should be a bit warmer. But the thaw will be short-lived as temperatures are expected to drop below normal again next week.

“Over the next few days some very cold air is expected to be over the Windsor area,” Coulson said. “This is not just a weather pattern affecting Windsor itself, we are seeing everywhere in Canada east of the Rocky Mountains being influenced by this Arctic weather mass.

“We are seeing cold warnings and winter warnings into the deep south with Georgia and Florida issuing winter-like warnings.”

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